Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Around 300 settlers have stormed the Al-Aqsa Mosque under the protection of the Israeli occupation forces.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: The IOF is preventing journalists from entering the Qattanin Gate to prevent them from reporting on the raids.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: More than 2,900 settlers stormed the courtyards of Al-Aqsa Mosque in recent days.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Occupation forces deploy near Bab al-Qattanin, one of the doors of Al-Aqsa Mosque.
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: Settlers storm the alleys of the Old City in occupied Al-Quds in large groups on the fifth day of “Throne Day.”
Kevin McCarthy ousted as leader of US House by his Republican party
Al Mayadeen correspondent: The ousting decision requires a simple majority in the House of Representatives of 214 votes
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: US House of Representatives begins voting on decision to oust Speaker Kevin McCarthy
Tunisian Free Constitutional Party: Party chief Abir Moussi was arrested and taken to an unknown destination
Al Mayadeen's correspondent: An air strike, likely Turkish, targets the Qandil Mountains in Iraqi Kurdistan for the second time

US tanks ‘absolutely on the table’ for Ukraine: Pentagon

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 20 Sep 2022 09:29
  • 1 Shares
  • x

Washington and its EU allies are pressured by Kiev for more heavy weaponry.

  • An M1 Abrams tank. US Army.
    An M1 Abrams tank. US Army.

The United States may give "NATO compatible" tanks to the Ukrainian military to replace outdated Soviet-era equipment as Kiev continues to press for a constant stream of Western weapons despite severe fighting with Russian troops, according to a senior Pentagon official.

The defense employee was questioned by reporters at an unnamed briefing on Monday about whether the White House would take into account heavy armor in future aid packages to Ukraine, adding that Ukrainian MPs had just traveled to the US capital to specifically demand tanks.

“Tanks are absolutely on the table along with other areas,” the official said, noting that while Ukrainian troops are more familiar with “Soviet type tanks,” the Pentagon recognizes “that there will be a day when they may want to transition and may need to transition to NATO compatible models.”

When questioned about whether Western tanks would be part of the next arms shipments, the official said that would depend on how quickly Ukrainian forces could be trained to operate and maintain the vehicles, but added that the Joe Biden administration is "definitely receptive" to the notion.

Read next: NATO to replenish arms stocks sent to Ukraine: Chief

Related News

Ecuador grants US military green light for operations

Shooting in Baltimore leaves at least 4 wounded: US

Last week, the White House revealed a $600 million security package to Kiev, marking Biden's 21st Presidential weapons drawdown for Ukraine. The package includes additional rounds for US-provided High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS), 36,000 artillery shells, 1,000 precision-guided munitions, anda  number of tansport vehicles and small arms. 

Washington has increased its armament supplies throughout the crisis, eventually deciding to give long-range artillery platforms and multi-launch rocket systems like the HIMARS months into the conflict. The Pentagon has chosen instead to enable the transfer of equipment from third nations like Poland and the Czech Republic rather than providing some of the most advanced weaponry now used by the US military, such as heavy armor or fighter jets.

Ukrainian leaders continue to demand heavier weapons, despite the fact that Biden has approved more than $15 billion in direct military aid to Ukraine since Russia sent soldiers there in late February. Kiev has recently asked Germany for Leopard battle tanks, Marder infantry combat vehicles, and Gepard anti-aircraft tanks in addition to American armor, but Berlin has been hesitant to comply.

“No country has delivered Western-built infantry fighting vehicles or main battle tanks so far,” German Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht said in an event last week, adding “We have agreed with our partners that Germany will not take such action unilaterally.”

The US defense official did not specify what kind of tanks the Pentagon considers for Ukraine, referring only to “NATO compatible models.” Several M1 Abrams configurations are currently export-ready and serve as Washington's primary battle tank, according to the official.

Read next: Russian tally on the 206th day of war in Ukraine

  • United States
  • Pentagon
  • Washington
  • Kiev
  • Ukraine
  • European Union
Russia & NATO

Russia & NATO

As the Draconian Western-led sanctions on Russia exacerbate the economic crisis worldwide, and as Russian troops gain more ground despite the influx of military aid into Ukraine, exposing US direct involvement in bio-labs spread across Eastern Europe and the insurgence of neo-Nazi groups… How will things unfold?

Most Read

BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

BBC from the front lines in Ukraine: It's bad, counteroffensive failed

  • Europe
  • 28 Sep 2023
A Ukrainian soldier of the elite drone unit packs up after an attack on the front line in the outskirts of Kremennaya, Ukraine, Sunday, August 20, 2023 (AP)

Ukraine loses around 700 soldiers in one day: Russia MoD

  • Europe
  • 30 Sep 2023
Who Would Ally with the West: ‘It’s Boring – The Real Excitement is in Asia’

Who Would Ally with the West: ‘It’s Boring – The Real Excitement is in Asia’

  • Analysis
  • 30 Sep 2023
A child being treated in a makeshift ICU bed in California in 2023 (AFP via Getty Images)

Children are dying in US hospitals plagued with ill-prepared ERs: WSJ

  • US & Canada
  • 2 Oct 2023

Coverage

All
Morocco & Libya Disasters

Read Next

All
People protest in Swedia, Syria on September 15, 2023. (AFP)
MENA

"Israel" proposes arming Sweida protesters via Jordan: Reports

Indigenous Xikrin warriors in the Para State of the Brazilian Amazon in August 2019 (AP)
Latin America

Brazil expels illegal settlers from Indigenous lands in Para state

Black Hawk Down: America's history in ending organic truces in Somalia
Africa

Black Hawk Down: America's history in reviving wars in Somalia

UN approves Haiti force after year of pleas
Latin America

UN approves Haiti Kenyan-led force amid Chinese skepticism

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS